Perfection! Port Washington Tennis Team Crowned LI Champs: PHOTOS

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Shane Helfner had a simple message for his tennis team heading into the Long Island championship Wednesday: play clean and don't worry about the score. If they did that, the score would work itself out.

Oozing with young talent, the vaunted Paul D. Schreiber High School girls steamrolled over their regular season opponents week after week en route to an undefeated season and a Nassau County championship.

All that was left: take down the reigning champs: Westhampton.

After a series of rainouts pushed the championship contest back a week, the Hurricanes and Vikings played Wednesday at The Hamlet Golf & Country Club in a battle of the unbeatens. Rather than fold under the bright lights and gravity of the moment, the Port Washington girls put on a performance for the ages, cruising to victory to earn the title of 2019 Long Island champions.

Coach Helfner told Patch his team won 7-0.

"Today was amazing," he said.

The girls got off to fast starts, with multiple girls getting out in front early over Westhampton 3-0 or 4-1.

"When the girls do that I feel like it's contagious," Helfner said. "It's felt around all the courts. Lots of positive energy."

He was right.

Schreiber's three doubles teams won in straight sets, earning them three points right off the bat. As the singles matches continued, the girls could feel the win was within their grasp. Then, it happened. Fourth singles player Andrea Martinez took down her opponent for the team's fourth win, sealing the championship. It was an emotional win, Helfner said, particularly for the seniors. Eyes welled up. Teammates embraced.

"The girls love each other," he said. "That's what makes me most proud. They just want to be with each other."

Heading into the match, Helfner called this one of the deepest teams he's ever had. Half the roster was filled with young, tournament-caliber players. Their top three singles all made it to the state tournament in Albany.

That loaded roster was key to overcoming Westhampton, and Helfner commended the performances of two freshman phenoms, Thea Rabman and Ellie Ross, who, despite playing in the state tournament all weekend, both brought their A-games.

Helfner thought Thea, who took 2nd place for singles at the state tournament, may come out flat against her opponent. But on center court, Thea won back-to-back sets 7-5, 6-4.

"It's impressive," he said. "From all the emotion that she had over the weekend. I was so thrilled she was able to fight her way through one more match for us and play a really tough opponent."

Ellie, the team's third singles player, kept her individual, season-long unbeaten streak alive Wednesday, defeating a tough opponent 6-3, 6-1. Despite her youth, Ellie has done more than just hold her own this year.

"She had the best first year you could possibly ask for," Helfner said. "She just always seems to win big matches for us."

While the season is over, Helfner still must award MVP and most-improved player. They still have one more event next week at Schreiber, too: an annual breast cancer awareness tournament where the girls pair up with a teacher in the district to form a doubles team. The tournament raises money for awareness efforts and is another way to get the school and community together for a good cause.

Below is a photo roundup of the Long Island championship.